Hancock UCC Weekly Messenger for August , 2026

Down by the river, so quiet and still, A baby in a basket, kept safe by God’s will.

Mariam watching, she knows it’s true, God’s got a plan for little Moses too.

Baby Moses in a basket, Baby Moses wrapped up tight.

God guided him down the river, Baby Moses’ future was bright.

Join us at Tidal Falls each Sunday morning through September at 7:00 a.m. for a 25-30 minute contemplative service grounded in the prayer books of J. Philip Newell. All are welcome! Thank you Nancy Gourlie & Robin Stratton for leading these services.

The Meditation Group is meeting at the Hancock Point Chapel on Fridays led by Alison Boden and will continue into September! All are welcome! Reach out to Alison with any questions. (aboden3321@gmail.com, 609-865-3236)

If you are interested in year-long Zoom study with Angela please contact Angela for further information at angelaabsher@gmail.com

August Birthdays

          23: Gerry Mehl    24: Cynthia Wood      25: Austin Crowley-Dunn

During the month of September we will be receiving the OCWM offering. Together we are a bold witness to God’s extravagant love for all. We share resources to bring our vision to life. Gifts from congregations like ours to OCWM Basic Support make it possible for our Conferences and the National Ministries to strengthen local churches and leaders and engage us in mission beyond our community. Envelopes available at the back of the Sanctuary.

BINGO BASH

The Christian Ed board invites you to our Fall Intergenerational Event: On September 20, from 4-6 we’ll host a potluck supper and Bingo! Small prizes will be given for each Bingo scored. (No money needed) Team up with your child or friend, or play on your own. Mark your calendar now for this fun party!

Update - and a hearty THANK YOU - from Jen Ashmore regarding our Church Fair.

Update on the collaborative PJ’s for Kids Open House: Over 185 pairs of PJs were collected between our church, P.E.O Chapter K, and the Hancock Woman’s Club.  Thank you to everyone that donated pajamas for Comfort Cases.

GriefShare Support Group - This is a Bible based 13 week program that supports those who have lost a loved one.

When, two options are: 1) Tuesdays, 5:30-7:00 pm, September 8 - December 1, or

2) Wednesdays, 1-3 pm September 9 - December 2.

Where: United Baptist Church, 28 Hancock Street, Ellsworth

Contact: Betsy Beardsley, councel@ubcellsworth.org

Betsy Beardsley, Ed.D. earned a Masters in Theology and has 30+ years teaching      

   experience. She has led grief support groups with Hospice and GriefShare.

Please keep the following people in your prayers this week:

Prayers for all God’s creation, that peace may prevail here and around the world. Our prayers remain with Aaron & Ashley, Lincoln & Debbie, Alex & Savannah, Andrew & Tamara, Tyler Crabtree and all of their families. We pray for all those who live and work at Golden Acres. Prayers for Roberta and her family; for Renata recovering from anaplasmosis; for Darren; and for Bobby, recovering from a stroke. We pray for Betty Johnston; Sonny & Gerry; Scott; Dean; David; Don; Dexter B.; Cynthia W.; Judith C.; Debbie; Kirk; Ruth & Peter; Patrice’s step-sister Patricia; Sally’s friend Darren; Herbie Lounder; Sandy Phippen; David Mack; Sue Davies; Sue Davenport. Prayers for all in Hospice Care and for all caregivers. Prayers for all that are unsafe, unhoused, hungry & in need of care & compassion. Prayers for individuals and families affected by mental illness and addictions. Prayers for those who are experiencing family conflict; and prayers for all that is in your heart…

Over the past year, the Maine Conference has been engaged in a Capital Campaign to renovate the Farm House at Pilgrim Lodge into a new home for our Conference offices. The goal is $150,000.

This project is about much more than a building. It's about bringing together the ministries of the Maine Conference, Pilgrim Lodge, and the Maine School of Ministry in one place, creating a shared home that reflects who we are: one church, joined together in covenant, mission, and hope. As Conference Minister Marisa Laviola has shared, this move is a tangible reminder that although we are spread across the state, we are one body in Christ.

Renovations are well underway, and each step forward is possible because of the generosity of people throughout our Conference who believe in this vision. Whether you've already made a gift, are considering a pledge, or are learning about the campaign for the first time, we invite you to join us.

Every gift—large or small—helps create a welcoming, accessible, and lasting home for the ministries that support our churches, equip our leaders, nurture our youth through Pilgrim Lodge, and strengthen the work we do together across Maine.

To learn more about the campaign, see the progress of the renovations, or make a gift, please visit: Maine Conference Capital Campaign maineucc.org/capital-campaign

Thank you for your faithful support of the Maine Conference and for helping build a home that will serve generations to come.

MAINE CONFERENCE 95th ANNUAL MEETING

 Pilgrim Lodge 103 Pilgrim Lodge Lane West Gardiner, Maine 

October 2nd and 3rd

A WELCOME VIDEO FROM

OUR CONFERENCE MINISTER

OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER KAREN GEORGIA THOMPSON

The Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson is the General Minister and President and the Chief Executive Officer of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Thompson is the first woman and first woman of African descent to serve as leader of the denomination. She was elected at General Synod 34 in 2023. She is a writer, poet and theologian who has contributed to numerous publications.

As General Minister and President, Rev. Thompson is the spiritual leader of the denomination, representing the UCC ecumenically and speaking on behalf of the denomination. She is the leader of the denominational offices in Cleveland, overseeing the daily operations of the national offices which includes 115 staff persons and an annual budget of $22 million.

Prior to this call, Rev. Thompson served in the national setting of the United Church of Christ for 14 years – two years as Minister for Racial Justice, eight years as Minister for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, and four years as the Associate General Minister for Wider Church Ministries and Co-Executive for Global Ministries. She was elected as Associate General Minister in 2019.

Her passion for justice and equity has informed her focus on justice in the global context. This passion for justice is a catalyst for her global advocacy to reduce the marginalization experienced by African descendant peoples and other communities globally. She continues to participate in global forums, bringing her leadership to address a variety of issues including global racial justice, gender justice, and human rights.

Before joining the national ministries staff in 2009, Rev. Thompson served in the Florida Conference United Church of Christ as a Pastor and on the Conference staff as the Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery. She also worked in the nonprofit arena for over 10 years in leadership positions.

She continues to contribute her time to the leadership and mission of several organizations, including Church World Service and Bread for the World. She is a member of the World Council of Churches Executive Committee and Central Committee, the National Council of Churches Governing Board, and she is the President of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. She also serves on the United Church of Christ Board, United Church Funds Board, and is a trustee of the Pension Boards United Church of Christ.

Rev. Thompson earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brooklyn College in New York, a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC, and a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York. She also studied Public Policy at Duke University and earned her Doctor of Ministry at Seattle University. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Heidelberg University in 2023.

Her book of poetry, Drums in Our Veins, was published in 2022. Painting Rainbows with Raindrops, her second book of poetry, is pending publication.

Free Entrance Day: National Parks Birthday - AUGUST 25

The National Park Service was created on August 25, 1916. In celebration of the National Park Service's 110th birthday, visitors will not be charged entrance fees at national parks on August 25, 2026.